Fat, morbidly obese woman in the weight room....

erimethia_fekre

I don't care what others do at the gym; just as long as you are not taking up a machine or weight I need for an unrealistic and horribly long time.

That and don't talk to me. I wear ear buds for a reason

cndkendrick

Beautiful!

TexasDarling09 wrote: »

I just started lifting w/ stronglifts this week. SO my first day, I stayed in the 'ladies' section of the gym and kinda gimped my way through the workout with what we had over there. I stared longingly at the squat cage (It was 1AM, there were maybe 4 people there, but all of them were 'bros' and I was scurrd) Anywho! fast forward to day 4, after 3 days of mainly staying in the womens section, (one night, nobody else was there, so of course I ventured lol), I went over to the big boy toys and worked out with a TON of people around. I have horrrrrrrible social anxiety and I'm just a really awkward person in general, so it was a pretty big deal for me. Anyway, I don't look at people much, so I'm doing my thing, squatting and whatnot (with my itty bitty weights, comparably) and this female lifter came up to me and actually complimented me on my form and told me that she could tell I was nervous, but that everyone had to start somewhere and that I was doing well. It made things a lot better! I'm actually looking forward to going tomorrow morning instead of dreading it.

ewrook

I would be inspired! And more likely to go into the weight room than if it were filled with perfectly chiseled magazine-worthy body builders.

Morgaen73

I'd far rather see an abose person in the weights section than a skinny person on a treadmil not even breaking a sweat.

CSARdiver

I would be inspired. Takes a lot of courage to make a change and I would do everything in my power to make that person feel more comfortable.

AnnPT77

TexasDarling09 wrote: »

I just started lifting w/ stronglifts this week.
... (snipping)....
Anywho! fast forward to day 4, after 3 days of mainly staying in the womens section, (one night, nobody else was there, so of course I ventured lol), I went over to the big boy toys and worked out with a TON of people around. I have horrrrrrrible social anxiety and I'm just a really awkward person in general, so it was a pretty big deal for me.
....(more snipping)....
this female lifter came up to me and actually complimented me on my form and told me that she could tell I was nervous, but that everyone had to start somewhere and that I was doing well. It made things a lot better! I'm actually looking forward to going tomorrow morning instead of dreading it.

Whoohoo! You are excellently bold, this is how to win at life (and I wish there were more friendly folks like that female lifter). Yay, you!

christophertoddchandler

I have been a weight lifter for over thirty five years, I have been thin and morbidly obese over that time. Nobody cares what you look like. What you need to know that even those in the best of shape are insecure too on a continuum. Nobody cares, do it for you, go for it!

lemurcat12

Most of the heavier women in the gyms I work out in are also badasses and generally much stronger than the thinner women. But no matter what I'd likely be excited and happy she was there -- I love seeing people get started on a workout program and I love women heavy lifting.

Most (not all) gyms I've been a member of are quite welcoming to women who express an interest in heavy lifting or learning form, too.

lemurcat12

cndkendrick wrote: »

WHY don't more obese people lift weights?

Wish more did. Wish I had more seriously when I was obese.

lessismoreohio

NikiChicken wrote: »

Honestly? I'd think "Good for her! I hope she continues to come here." and I'd secretly cheer her on.

This.

lemurcat12

jgnatca wrote: »

Well, there's also the spectre of injury. My weight loss team raved about aquasize classes, because I could move without worrying about gravity killing my joints. But aquasize is not my thing. As soon as I was light enough to move, I began walking, then running. And Zumba. I love zumba. I don't like repetitive exercises whose only point is well, exercise. I've never stepped on an elliptical, and the spin classes look like torture. So I have to have a particular reason for doing weights, like getting some upper body strength for my next Tough Mudder.

I suspect that the bigger reason is because doing weights properly requires learning how and focusing on form and looking in the mirror, all things that seem hard and awkward and may make someone depressed about their body uncomfortable. I really wanted to strength train, but running and biking were easy (and swimming because I learned as a child). It's a shame because strength stuff is not only good for us, but something that lots of heavy people might actually be better than average at vs. cardio (not me, but I've seen lots of examples).

Did you do a Tough Mudder and did you like it? I'm vaguely considering doing one.

tomatoey

stealthq wrote: »

cndkendrick wrote: »

WHY don't more obese people lift weights?

This is absolute and total speculation on my part, but if I were morbidly obese and was told that I needed to lift MORE than my body weight with legs that are probably already tired from getting myself around all day ...

... I'm pretty sure I'd view that news with extreme skepticism.

I'd probably think walking and bicycling were more doable.

But again, just a WAG on my part.

Yeah, there was a thread a while back where people talked about why they don't lift, fear of injury was a big one.

I agree with whoever said people think they have to do cardio to lose weight (even instead of dieting).

MGarcia0504

I'd give her the smile and nod and be happy that she's doing something to better herself. I know what it's like to be that big, flabby person in gym and was really self conscious. I'd let my fear of other people's thoughts get the best of me and given up too but this last time I started up again and went it was good to have my support system and see that people would just smile and nod to show me they weren't judging and that I was just another person working out. It helped keep me going.

idlecrush

I am that girl - and I could care less what anyone else thinks. I'm down 1 pant size and 2 shirt sizes in 3 weeks. I have an awesome trainer and I don't pay any attention to anyone but her.

cndkendrick

You guys are all great, thanks for the supportive replies. I hope anyone who feels doubtful will read this thread and become encouraged and empowered.